Alex Lopez of Suicide Silence

Since I joined Suicide Silence in June of 2007, I can honestly say that it’s been a non-stop roller-coaster ride of touring, writing, and more touring. Yes, being in Suicide Silence can be a bitch sometimes, but it’s all worth it. Right now I’m in Cleveland, Ohio, watching Nile’s crew set up the stage. We went straight into this tour from our European run with Behemoth, and it almost feels like the same tour in this never-ending cycle that keeps us out on the road. After the Nile tour we’ll be going to Europe with Parkway Drive and Bury Your Dead. Then later this summer we’ll be doing the Rockstar Mayhem Tour with the almighty Slipknot. I’m really excited for that tour, as I’ve been a big fan of theirs since like ’99.

I just got a Tama endorsement and ordered the new B/B Starclassic (birch/babinga) kit. I’m very excited, as I’ve had my current kit since seventh grade. Aside from Tama, I’ve got Vic Firth and Sabian endorsements. Needless to say, my new kit will be pretty amazing. All the hard work I’ve been putting into the band is finally paying off in regards to equipment.

I’ve been playing drums since I was in the fourth grade, in 1995. I started playing guitar first, but found it very stress-relieving to play drums, so I kind of decided to do it all. I still play guitar and bass whenever I can.

One of the main tips I have for all the young metal drummers out there is that it’s not about how fast you are, what brand of drums you have, or what type of pedals you use. In my opinion, it’s how much soul and love you put into your instrument when you play. Be unique, but be true. To be an amazing drummer takes years and years of practice and dedication. I know I’m not the world’s fastest drummer, and I know my current drum et is ten years old, but that doesn’t prevent me from loving what I do behind the drums. When you put your soul and love into the music, you will soon realize that the BPM are irrelevant; what matters is the groove.